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PET / CT

We provide a full complement of endoscopic procedures, which are commonly used to diagnose health conditions affecting the gastro-intestinal tract. An endoscopy is usually carried out while the patient is awake, although a mild sedative may be used,

For patients needing endoscopic treatment, (both screening and therapeutic) there is a well-equipped endoscopy suite which offers all the modern modes of management for variceal bleeding, including endoscopic band ligation and injection sclerotherapy. For complex hepatobiliary patients, biliary endoscopy is provided for within the radiology department, and capsule endoscopy is also available.

A colonoscopy involves examining the colon via a thin, flexible telescope, which is passed through the anus into the colon. It can be pushed all the way round the colon as far as the caecum (where the small and large intestine meet). A small sample (biopsy) from the inside lining of the colon may be taken during this test.

A colonoscopy may be advised in the case of symptoms such as bleeding from the anus, pain in the lower abdomen, persistent diarrhoea, or other symptoms thought to be coming from the colon. Conditions which can be diagnosed include:

Microbiology is used to identify the organisms (bacteria / viruses / fungi or parasites) in the body that are causing an infection, and it is regularly used to diagnose Gastro-intestinal infections. When the organism is identified a treatment course can then be determined via use of antibiotics to destroy the causative organism, enabling the patient to recover.

Histology and cytology may be required to diagnose cellular disease. Histology is the examination of the cells and tissues via tissue culture under microscope, whilst cytology deals with the study of cells in terms of structure, function and chemistry.

Blood tests are used to diagnose a number of liver and GI related conditions, but particularly Abnormal Liver Function and Liver Enzymes. Our highly trained and experienced hepatologists can evaluate the causes of these disorders.

For many patients there may be a simple explanation for an abnormal liver function test, such as excessive alcohol consumption, fatty liver disease, drug-induced liver injury or viral hepatitis. However, rarer causes of liver disease can also be identified, including metabolic and genetic disorders. Using appropriate diagnostic tests an answer can be obtained for the majority of patients without the need for a liver biopsy.